VIDEO: First look at new Star Wars trilogy
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Star Wars director JJ Abrams has giving a lucky fan the chance to win a trip to the London set in a fundraising announcement for UNICEF Innovation Labs. Courtesy Star Wars

news.com.au

22 May 2014

Entertainment

Take me to your leader ... the <i>Star Wars </i>alien that muscles in on JJ Abram’s video message.Source: Supplied

FIRST footage from the set of the new Star Wars movie — AND a chance to appear in it.

Seriously, what more could a Force nerd want? (Actually, don’t answer that).

Filming on the much-anticipated seventh episode in the blockbuster series started in Abu Dhabi five days ago.

Overnight, director JJ Abrams posted a video message in which he gives us a glimpse of the set, a fleeting introduction to a couple of characters and makes an offer that will have the fancore salivating.

“We want to put you in the movie, inStar Wars,” he says, before being interrupted by an alien.

Join me ... together we can rule the galaxy. Kind of. JJ Abrams makes his forceful offer from “Tatooine”.Source: Supplied

For hardcore fans concerned at the risk of too many virtual visual effects “spoiling” the movie — and this is a serious issue for some of them following the prequels — the appearance of a physical extra may be reassuring.

Alien invasion over, Abrams then tells how hopefuls can enter in a competition to be flown to London, meet the stellar cast — including SW old hands such as Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford plus new members of the team like Andy Serkis and Daisy Ridley — and win a role alongside them.

The stunt is part of a charity initiative called Star Wars: Force For Change, a project to help children in need with UNICEF.

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